A crew of Baltimore-area first-responders is headed to Garrett County to assist in recovery from a major snowstorm that hit as Sandy plowed into the mid-Atlantic.

About 60 workers from the Urban Search and Rescue team will help clear debris and trees knocked down by the more than 2 feet of snow, conduct searches for and checks on those affected by the storm, and assist in evacuation efforts. The team pulls members from emergency response agencies from Baltimore and seven surrounding counties.

"This has quickly become a serious public safety situation for the people of Garrett County, and we all have a responsibility to assist in any way we can," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a statement.

More than two-thirds of county residents remained without power and much of the county remained inaccessible Thursday.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency made a formal request for the team's assistance.

The team and Baltimore City are also providing chainsaws, flashlights, meals ready to eat, bottled water, power generators and fuel to Garrett.